Content Area(s): Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering/Technology Topic: Effect of radiation on wildlife Short description: In 1986 the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in the USSR experienced the worst nuclear disaster of the time. Today, despite the lingering contamination, the area appears to be a sanctuary for wildlife.
Claim: It appears that wildlife can thrive even in an area contaminated by radioactivity
Keywords: radiation, exclusion zone Difficulty of Concept: hard
MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
MS-LS3-1. Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/Literacy
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
More than 25 years ago, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union, was the scene of the worst nuclear disaster at that time. One reactor exploded and the blast left a large area covered with dangerous radioactive material. People were killed and others living in and around the area experienced an increase in cancer rates. Thousands of people were evacuated within a 30 mile radius around the reactor. But as it turns out, the “nuclear cloud” may have a silver lining. Studies suggest this exclusion zone has turned into a wildlife haven. The area is now home to deer, bats, wild horses, wolves, bears, eagles, a rare species of lynx and many others. Plants have sprung back to life leaving the area lush and green. Beavers have returned and helped re-establish wetlands in the area. Even the reactor’s highly contaminated cooling ponds are home to wildlife, including large catfish and many other species of fish including some rare varieties. This is a huge change from conditions in the area immediately following the accident. Initially many animals died and huge forests of pine trees turned red and had to be plowed under due to radiation contamination. How can plants and animals be thriving in an area so contaminated with radioactivity? The main reason is that humans have moved out, and wildlife no longer has to compete with agriculture for their existence.
It does appear that the animal populations in this area have been affected by the radiation in their environment. Some studies suggest the mutation rate in offspring for some species is as high as 10%, however the adult population appears quite healthy. This may be because the defective offspring don’t usually make it to maturity and are much less likely to reproduce and pass their defective genes to their offspring. Some plants and animals seemed to be more affected by radiation than others. Pine trees seem to be especially sensitive to radiation and were replaced by birch trees, which are thriving. The pine trees have only recently started to return. It also appears that barn swallows show more abnormalities than other species. Still, other studies show many animal populations are quite resilient to the effects of radiation. Results from research on voles, published in Nature magazine, did not find tumors in a single individual of more than 400 voles living in the exclusion zone. Though more research is needed, it appears that human activities may be far more damaging to wildlife than radiation. When left alone, Mother Nature seems to find a way.
Title: Chernobyl As a Wildlife Sanctuary
Content Area(s): Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering/TechnologyTopic: Effect of radiation on wildlife
Short description: In 1986 the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in the USSR experienced the worst nuclear disaster of the time. Today, despite the lingering contamination, the area appears to be a sanctuary for wildlife.
Claim: It appears that wildlife can thrive even in an area contaminated by radioactivity
Keywords: radiation, exclusion zone
Difficulty of Concept: hard
Reading Level (Pit Stop 8 Article):
Flesch Reading Ease: 53.2Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 10.0
Lexile: 1140
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and DynamicsMS-LS2-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
MS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
MS-LS3-1. Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/LiteracyRST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: contamination, radioactive, mutation, vole
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Do's and Don'ts: Reasonable Arguments
Link to Game Introduction Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxPOeDeDugQ
Full Text of Article:
More than 25 years ago, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union, was the scene of the worst nuclear disaster at that time. One reactor exploded and the blast left a large area covered with dangerous radioactive material. People were killed and others living in and around the area experienced an increase in cancer rates. Thousands of people were evacuated within a 30 mile radius around the reactor. But as it turns out, the “nuclear cloud” may have a silver lining. Studies suggest this exclusion zone has turned into a wildlife haven. The area is now home to deer, bats, wild horses, wolves, bears, eagles, a rare species of lynx and many others. Plants have sprung back to life leaving the area lush and green. Beavers have returned and helped re-establish wetlands in the area. Even the reactor’s highly contaminated cooling ponds are home to wildlife, including large catfish and many other species of fish including some rare varieties. This is a huge change from conditions in the area immediately following the accident. Initially many animals died and huge forests of pine trees turned red and had to be plowed under due to radiation contamination. How can plants and animals be thriving in an area so contaminated with radioactivity? The main reason is that humans have moved out, and wildlife no longer has to compete with agriculture for their existence.It does appear that the animal populations in this area have been affected by the radiation in their environment. Some studies suggest the mutation rate in offspring for some species is as high as 10%, however the adult population appears quite healthy. This may be because the defective offspring don’t usually make it to maturity and are much less likely to reproduce and pass their defective genes to their offspring. Some plants and animals seemed to be more affected by radiation than others. Pine trees seem to be especially sensitive to radiation and were replaced by birch trees, which are thriving. The pine trees have only recently started to return. It also appears that barn swallows show more abnormalities than other species. Still, other studies show many animal populations are quite resilient to the effects of radiation. Results from research on voles, published in Nature magazine, did not find tumors in a single individual of more than 400 voles living in the exclusion zone. Though more research is needed, it appears that human activities may be far more damaging to wildlife than radiation. When left alone, Mother Nature seems to find a way.
Additional Content:
Author: Cindy Wilbur